1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD Reviews - Page 2 of 2

1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD from United States of America

Summary:

Sport-bike quickness and handling, great cruiser styling, reliable and ROCKS!

Faults:

Not a single thing.

General Comments:

I just bought this bike - had been sitting in a humid garage for 7 years, and was COVERED in rust. The cost of a few brillo pads, some chrome polish, and about 2 hours general maintenance (checking hoses, wires, etc.) was all the time and money I've put into this bike. Talk about the reliability of a well executed design!!

It now looks (almost) new again, and runs like it just came off the showroom floor. Accelerates quickly due to the "1/2 Ninja" adapted liquid cooled mini v-twin power plant.

Belt drive is responsive and quiet, brakes apply quickly and evenly, delivering great stopping power. Rips on the highway at around 100mph with 2500 rpm to spare in 6th gear (I did replace stock airbox with some cheaper aftermarket oiled paper filters and drilled some small holes in muffler tip - boosted about 8 horsepower)

1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD from Canada

Summary:

Great value, power, and economy

Faults:

The carbs are sure fussy on it cold, it's very easy to flood below 15C. Once it's warmer out or the engine is warmed up, it runs awesome. They've been synchronised, and I've tried injector cleaner with the gas, so I may just try a different dealer if it persists.

General Comments:

Awesome value in this bike. I bought it cheap enough ($1200 CDN) ready to ride and it's been great. I'm having the tank repainted for a couple scuffs, and to sharpen it up a bit, and I'm sure it will make me money when I'm ready to sell it and go bigger.

I'm 6' tall/200lbs, and it's still very capable for my size. I've ridden a lot of late model bigger bikes, from Honda's to Harley's, and I'm not at all disappointed with mine.

1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD from Puerto Rico

Summary:

A little-big baby

Faults:

Definitely the cables: Clutch, speedometer, tachometer. Now are fine.

Suspension has to be fixed.

General Comments:

I bought this little-big baby 2 years ago. And I love it. Smooth ride, enough power, low gas consumption, 6-speed transmission, great sound, automatic signal lights. Wow, a lot of gadgets for that small piece of art of 1986.

This little baby was found in a backyard with rust, no tires, and many loose parts. With love and patience, the 454 is my joy and my pride. And it looks great!

1986 Kawasaki 454 LTD from Canada

Summary:

An excellent small displacement motorcycle

Faults:

The speedo cable packed it in about 3000 km ago.

Carbs have been a headache the last 1000 km or so.

General Comments:

I found this little jewel stashed in a corner of a guy's storage shed and talked him into selling. It has been a joy to own and ride. I do not baby it, in fact, I love the engine so much I can't stop flogging this little bike and it just keeps delivering.

The problem with the carbs is not a big deal... the bike is 19 years old and I'm sure it has never been tuned or had any part rebuilt. It's definitely a keeper.

10th May 2006, 02:02

I just purchased the Kawasaki 454 LTD. I truly love this bike. I too am having some problems with the carb. Not much though, only seems to be a little bothersome near the top end, or in 6th gear going up a hill or something. I also need to replace the front forks, for they both leak and the rear tire. All in all, I'm really happy with this bike.